Over the weekend, hundreds of curious Chicagoans ventured to Lake Michigan beachfronts to witness a birding marvel: the early arrival of snowy owls.

Two snowy owls have been spotted at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and a third briefly at Rainbow Beach, according to the Chicago Ornithological Society.

A snowy owl stands near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl stands near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Snowy owls fly near Chicago's Montrose Beach, Nov. 24, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Snowy owls fly near Chicago’s Montrose Beach, Nov. 24, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A snowy owl flies near Montrose Beach, Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl flies near Montrose Beach, Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Cathy Heldt, of Evanston, photographs a snowy owl at Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025 in Chicago. "I was worried I'd missed them," she said. "When I walked up, I was like oh they're still there because I saw all the people." (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Cathy Heldt, of Evanston, photographs a snowy owl at Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025 in Chicago. “I was worried I’d missed them,” she said. “When I walked up, I was like oh they’re still there because I saw all the people.” (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
People congregate to view snowy owls at Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)People congregate to view snowy owls at Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A snowy owl lands near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl lands near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A snowy owl in the sand at the edge of the Lake Michigan shoreline at Montrose Beach in Chicago on Wednesday. Reports of its sighting attracted many birders. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl in the sand at the edge of the Lake Michigan shoreline at Montrose Beach in Chicago on Wednesday. Reports of its sighting attracted many birders. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Lee Applewhite, 36, of Chicago, watches snowy owls near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025. "We have more of a yard than you'd ever have in rural America," Applewhite said. "A backyard that's free…the bird sanctuary, the beach, that's sick." (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Lee Applewhite, 36, of Chicago, watches snowy owls near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025. “We have more of a yard than you’d ever have in rural America,” Applewhite said. “A backyard that’s free…the bird sanctuary, the beach, that’s sick.” (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A portion of Montrose pier is closed off Nov. 25, 2025, near where two snowy owls have been spotted in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A portion of Montrose pier is closed off Nov. 25, 2025, near where two snowy owls have been spotted in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A snowy owl sits next to Lake Michigan near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl sits next to Lake Michigan near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
A snowy owl sits near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A snowy owl sits near Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
People take in the sight of two snowy owls resting on the sand at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Nov. 19, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)People take in the sight of two snowy owls resting on the sand at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Nov. 19, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)